Origin now offers preorders of a Mass Effect 3 Digital Deluxe Edition that's exclusive to EA's online service. This includes physical bonuses such as an art book and a lithographic print, as well as in-game items, including several features they say "can’t be found anywhere else," like a robot dog companion (thanks Computer and Video Games). Here's the list of bonus content to be included with this version of the sci-fi action/RPG sequel:

Get the ultimate Mass Effect 3 experience with the N7 Digital Deluxe Edition! This exclusive and limited package includes:

70-page digital art book featuring hundreds of unique and gorgeous illustrations from the BioWare development team.

For that matter...why do EA/Bioware think the game is worth $60 when every other game in the franchise was the regular $50?

The console versions were always $60 and EA has started charging $60 for all their high-profile PC games as well (Crysis 2 and Dragon Age 2 were also $60 on PC). Same with Activision and Bethesda. It's not unique to ME3.

Are they justified in charging $60 for PC ports? No, not really. A PC port typically costs less than $1 million to develop and publishers don't have to pay any royalties for PC games. In addition, if a game is sold directly through Origin, EA makes 100% profit. They're trying to raise the standard MSRP so they can make more money, not because the games are actually worth that much.

xmb1121 wrote on Jul 10, 2011, 15:02:Art book, comic, lithograph...All these things are listed as "digital." Why does anyone think there is a physical version?

I never thought they were physical objects.

I think the more pertinent question is how are those things worth an extra $20?

For that matter...why do EA/Bioware think the game is worth $60 when every other game in the franchise was the regular $50?

As I said before, I was willing to buy ME3 for full price because I like the series and want to see how it all turns out, but there is no way that I am paying either $60 for the regular version OR $80 for the deluxe version. Especially knowing that 10 - 12 DLCs are going to be right around the corner asking for yet more money to flesh out the experience that should have been fleshed out in the full game.

Tumbler wrote on Jul 10, 2011, 10:14:...no, it looks like that is literally a hoodie your shepard can wear on his ship? Why would you ever want him in a fucking hoodie!?

Because it's the "in" thing? Ah hell if I know. Next you'll be seeing and now you can buy shepard a stock of vintage 1970's cloths to wear on the normandy! He can look like a douchebag, and a trashy hipster all at once!

--"For every human problem, there is a neat, simple solution; and it is always wrong." --H.L. Mencken

N7 Hoodie – For Commander Shepard’s casual days on board the Normandy.

So...one of the items is a hoodie you can wear inside the game?Wow. Reading over that I just assumed it was a real hoodie that someone could wear at home...then I thought well they probably wouldn't go that far, maybe it's an avatar clothing item...no, it looks like that is literally a hoodie your shepard can wear on his ship? Why would you ever want him in a fucking hoodie!?

finga wrote on Jul 10, 2011, 04:16:[...] all because I might have to set up yet ANOTHER username and password on top of the dozens I have already memorized! That's way too difficult for me, so I'm going to get REALLY ANGRY about it! Because I hate having fun!

I think you are missing the issue here. You should not project your own shortcomings on other people as it is also obvious why people would not want to install yet another bloated, retarding piece of software.

El Pit wrote on Jul 10, 2011, 03:14:[...]No. I get all my games from French losers, or France Loisirs, as they say in France. [...]

Loisirs means "spare time". :/

El Pit wrote on Jul 10, 2011, 03:14:[...][...] No wait, I got that all mixed up. All that pink stuff is only in German and Australian versions. My bad, sorry.

The blood in the censored, German versions is usually green.

Maybe you should check up on things like these before you spout your BS and/or learn how to use sarcasm properly.

Yep, I'm going to refuse to play the third iteration of a franchise I love and have been playing for years, all because I might have to set up yet ANOTHER username and password on top of the dozens I have already memorized! That's way too difficult for me, so I'm going to get REALLY ANGRY about it! Because I hate having fun!

EA and Valve are currently having a bit of tiff. 2142 was supposed to be on Steam by now but isn't because of their inablility to get along. One of the guys from DICE posted this info on his personal page/blog but it was yanked soon after.

I'm sure they'll resolve it by release because the Steam market is just to huge to ignore. Screw 'em all, if I get BF3 it will be from retail. I'm still bitter about EA Link breaking my 2412 with every update, so Origin can get bent.

Jerykk wrote on Jul 9, 2011, 23:49:The deluxe edition isn't limited to Origin. You can buy the physical deluxe edition from any number of retailers.

Ah, thanks for clarifying that. When it comes with an actual hard cover art book, lithograph, metal case, fabric insignia and comic book, plus about $5 of DLC, I can see how that would appeal to some fans. It's just crazy that EA believes the digital version has the same value.

I can't imagine anyone who favors Steam being upset that they can't get in on this horrible, horrible deal. To me, like most collector's editions, it's very easily ignored.